Humber Bridge repairs needed

The Humber Bridge is in need of repairs after it was discovered part of the Barton tower isn’t working properly.

Officials found an issue with the two A-frames which secure the road to the south bank tower, and say work is needed to prevent them from becoming ‘unserviceable’.

Temporary measures are set to be installed while they are replaced or refurbished by 2026.

The 3.8 metres tall structures are designed to allow the bridge to respond as traffic, wind and temperature conditions change.

However, it was discovered last year that those near the Barton tower aren’t working properly and are under additional stress.

The defect was first found following routine inspections after Storm Ciara in 2020, and have been monitored since then.

Officials are now proposing temporary enhancements in the form of new steel fabricated sections which will connect the deck and tower while a permanent solution is found.

It will be assessed whether the frames can be repaired or need to be replaced, with work expected to be completed by 2026.

The temporary measures will then be removed.

The Humber Bridge have applied to North Lincolnshire Council, where the south tower sits, for permission to carry out the temporary measures.

A report by the Humber Bridge Authority says:

“Monitoring revealed that the A Frames were not functioning as designed, resulting in additional forces and therefore stress in the A Frames.

“This is not sustainable and needs to be addressed to prevent the A Frames from becoming unserviceable, which would lead to significant disruption and inconvenience to the travelling public.

“It is noted that the side span A Frames are now c. 40 years old (installed and in use before official opening) and are approaching the end of their designed service life.”

The application adds:

“The enhancements are being designed with a life of up to five years. Within this period, the Bridge Board will undertake a project to install a permanent solution.

“Until full structural assessments and design options are assessed, it is not known if the existing A-frame can be repaired by removing it from the bridge.

“The design period has been chosen to ensure that the permanent solution can undergo assessments of design solutions, funding constraints, risk of other A-frames developing defects and disruption to road users.

“With this information, a further application for Listed Building Consent will be made and all stakeholders consulted.”

Since it opened in 1981, the Humber Bridge has carried around 230 million vehicles, with 30,000 crossing every single day.